Disney brings booking power to your TV

According to the Orlando Sentinel, a federal judge has dismissed a potential class-action lawsuit against Walt Disney World that would have allowed disabled guests to use their own Segways at the theme parks. We first posted about the lawsuit back in November. Disney's contention has been that the theme parks offer alternative methods of transportation for the disabled and that Segways are a danger to the safety of its visitors if they're not operated properly. Currently, only trained employees are allowed to use the device in the parks or guests on specialized tours when the parks are closed (pictured to the right). It's important to note that U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell dismissed the case because the plaintiffs had shown no intention to actually visit the resort in the future—not necessarily because he agrees that Disney should not allow Segways. Did he make the right call? It's tough to say. On my many trips, I've been banged around not just by wheelchairs and motorized scooters, but strollers and scampering children, too! During busy periods, navigating a theme park can be an arduous task at best. But from what I've read, Segways are faster and more difficult to control than the above items (expect maybe the children), which can make them a risky proposition. So you tell us. Where does Disney's obligation to the safety of all of its guests end—and the rights of its disabled guests begin? Image: Epcot guests take a spin on a Segway during morning hours before the area opens (Disney)

American Idol is coming to Walt Disney World as part of the major revamp of Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios). Due to open later this year, the attraction will closely follow the format of Fox's popular singing competition. Each day, amateurs aged 14 and older will compete, and winners will face-off in a Grand Finale show nightly. Top performers who are 16 to 28-years old will get to enter a regional audition for TV's American Idol on another day. No word yet on whether Scrooge McDuck will play the role of the obnoxious judge. Image: Artist's rendition of the new American Idol attraction (courtesy and © Disney) And here's news from elsewhere around the Disney-verse: Toy Story Mania: As part of the changes at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Toy Story Mania! will open this summer at the new Pixar Place. (The 3-D attraction will also open at Disneyland's California Adventure.) To coincide with this, Disney-Pixar has announced that Toy Story 3 will be coming to theaters in 2010, while parts 1 and 2 will be re-released in 3-D in 2009. The Year of the Mouse: Taking corporate synergy to a whole new level, Disneyland is celebrating the "Year of the Mouse." For those not in the know, last week was the Chinese New Year and marked the beginning of the "Year of the Rat." (But don't ever call Mickey that!) Meanwhile Hong Kong Disneyland has announced that the first baby boy and girl who were born in the new year in Hong Kong will receive lifetime passes to the Disney theme parks in Hong Kong, Paris, and the States. Flower Power: In Florida, Epcot's International Flower & Garden Festival begins March 19, and will run for 75 days—15 days longer than last year's festival. This year's theme is a day at the beach for Mickey and Minnie. Much like Epcot's Food & Wine Festival, the celebration will include guest speakers, seminars, exhibits and concerts. For more information, check out the redesigned disneyworld.com.

Spyland is set to open in near Saragosa, Spain, (about 170 miles northeast of Madrid) within two years. The roughly $400 million amusement park will have rides based on the worldwide history of spies and secret service, including a mock-up of the Pentagon. Visitors will play the role of a spy, collecting clues, watching stunt shows, and sliding through a water park. Spyland will be part of Gran Scala, a new Las Vegas style resort complex being built in the Aragón desert. Official website. ELSEWHERE The International Spy Museum is already open in Washington, D.C. EARLIER 70 readers share their 2008 trip plans.

The case: Three disabled people who like to use Segways are suing Walt Disney World in federal court. Disney has denied the travelers permission to bring their upright, two-wheeled, motorized scooters into Disney theme parks. The background: Disney allows hand-powered and motorized wheelchairs in its parks. But the company bans the use of Segways during regular park hours because it says that the machines are faster than wheelchairs and are more likely to cause accidents. As for the plaintiffs, each of them cannot walk far because of different reasons: multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease, and an amputated foot. The larger issue: Between 4,000 and 7,000 people with disabilities move about on Segways. And several of these people with disabilities believe that Segways are more dignified to use than wheelchairs. [via the Orlando Sentinel] EARLIER Too disabled to fly?